Boston Haitian Reporter

MIRA offers FREE Citizenship Assistance

Feb. 4, 2012 - 11:00 am

Are you Eligible to Apply for Citizenship?

You may be eligible if…

-You are at least 18 years old

-You have had a “green card” for at least 5 years OR you have had a “green card” and been married to a US Citizen for 3 years

-You have not left the US for more than 6 months

-You have been living in MA for at least 3 months

-You have registered for Selective Services (applicable to males born after 1959 who were residents between ages 18 to 26) Read more

Investing in Haiti: Challenges, Strategies, Opportunities

Feb. 11, 2012 - 10:30 am

BrandHait's Second Annual Business Symposium. The purpose of the symposium is to bring the entrepreneurial potential of Haiti to the forefront of economic policy while simultaneously deconstructing the negative conceptions too often associated with the country. This symposium will assemble prominent members of the business community, students, activists, and organizations that currently work to ameliorate the Haitian economy, but who will also discuss the promising future for a sovereign Haitian with an innovative private sector. Read more

Tectonic Shifts: Haiti Since the Earthquake

Feb. 3, 2012 - 6:30 pm

Join us for the New England book launch of "Tectonic Shifts: Haiti Since the Earthquake." In the Starr Auditorium, second floor of the Belfer building (enter from Eliot Street). A panel discussion will include: Read more

Manolia Charlotin, Editor & Business Manager, Boston Haitian Reporter
Brian Concannon, Director of the Institute of Justice & Democracy in Haiti
Valerie Kaussen, Associate Professor, University of Missouri
Jane Regan, Multimedia Journalist currently teaching journalism in Haiti

Nou Pap Janm Bliye / We Will Never Forget hosted by AFAB

Jan. 14, 2012 - 4:00 pm

The Association of Haitian Women (AFAB) along with community partners will host the second annual Nou Pap Janm
Bliye event. Two years after the January 2010 earthquake, there still remain hundreds of new cholera cases daily, thousands of schools destroyed, hundreds of thousands displaced and lacking access to clean water, and millions of cubic meters of rubble that are obstructing the path to home, the market, school, and reconstruction.

Come learn about what the Boston Haitian community has contributed to recovery and rebuilding efforts back home from groups like Boston Mothers Care (BMC), a group of Haitian women, who have with the love and support of the community, helped build wells that provide, clean, sustainable, long-term, easily maintained, independent sources of water in their hometowns. Learn about to Physicians for Haiti (P4H). As first-responders on the ground during the first cases of cholera.

To learn more about the Nou Pap Janm Bliye, contact Read more

11th Annual Independence Day Gala hosted by H.A.U.

Jan. 7, 2012 - 7:00 pm

Please join us on Saturday, January 7, 2012 for Haitian American United's (H.A.U) 11th Annual Independence Day Gala at Lombardo's Function Hall in Randolph. Event starts at 7:00 PM.

The event will honor U.S. Senator John F. Kerry for his steadfast support to the earthquake victims in both the U.S. and Haiti and Britney Gengel's family for continuing the mission of their daughter who died in the 2010 earthquake, during a voyage to help the children of Haiti. Read more

BPS Parent training [nou pale Kreyòl]

Jan. 28, 2012 - 8:30 am

PARENT UNIVERSITY hosted by Boston Public Schools

Enriching | Engaging | Empowering

Do you want to help your child with homework?
Do you want to sharpen your own skills?
Do you want to help your child succeed?

If yes...

Please join us at Northeastern University, Curry Student Center, 360 Huntington Ave. Boston, MA
on Saturday, January 28, 2012 from 8:30am - 3:30pm

HOW DO I REGISTER? Read more

Boston City Councilors meet with the Haitian community

Dec. 17, 2011 - 11:30 am

Join the Haitian community for a forum with Boston City Councillors Ayanna Presley, Felix Arroyo, John Connolly and Stephen Murphy -- to take up some of the issues that surfaced during the campaign trail. All four at-large city council members will be in attendance to revisit some key items of their agenda that impact the community.

The meeting is scheduled for Saturday, December 17, 2011 at 11:30am at Sant Belvi/Haitian Adult Day Care located at 6 Frontenac Street, Dorchester.

For more information, contact Oswald Neptune Read more

City of Boston hosts Family Resource Day (nou pale Kreyòl)

Dec. 17, 2011 - 10:00 am

The Neighborhood Response Team at Bowdoin / Geneva host Family Resource Day for low-income families.

First 100 families take home a bag of groceries and toys!

Come sign up for:
-Food Stamps
-Fuel Assistance
-Housing Assistance
-Health Care
-Parenting Support

...and much, much more!

For more information, contact Read more

"Veye pou Sonia Pierre" hosted by AFAB

Dec. 17, 2011 - 6:00 pm

The Association of Haitian Women (AFAB) and Afrolatino americanas, Afrocaribeñas y de la Diáspora invite you to:

A gathering to honor and celebrate the life of Sonia Pierre

Saturday, December 17, 2011

KAFANM | 330 Fuller Street, Dorchester, MA | 6:00 PM to 8:00PM

For more information, please contact AFAB Read more

Live in Randolph? Get your flu vaccinations (nou pale Kreyòl)

Dec. 15, 2011 - 9:00 am

The Randolph Board of Health is hosting a school-based flu vaccination clinic at Donovan Elementary School, located at 123 Reed Street, Randolph, MA 021368, will take place on Thursday, Dec. 15th, at 9 a.m.

Randolph Board of Health ap òganize yon klinik vaksinasyon kont grip nan lekòl Donovan Elementary School, nan adrès 123 Reed Street, Randolph, MA 021368, epi l ap fèt jedi 15 desanm a 9 a.m. Read more

Traversiere is a Passion for Action scholar at Wheelock

December 12, 2011 by Manolia Charlotin, Editor

Lyonel Traversiere's favorite proverb on responsibility: 21 an, pa 21 jou (21 years is not 21 days)On Nov. 16, Wheelock College hosted its annual Passion for Action Leadership Award Dinner. The event benefits Wheelock’s Passion for Action Scholarship program for students committed to service and the scholarship program awards $20,000 for four years. Since 2007, three to five students of each incoming first-year class are designated Passion for Action Scholars. The program provides leadership development, calls for a domestic service project and offers an international service opportunity. Students have worked in Ghana, Benin, Puerto Rico, and Guatemala.

“Service is a part of our culture, curriculum, college ethos,” said Jackie Jenkins-Scott, president of Wheelock College. “At Wheelock, its core to who we are…as an institution.”

Lyonel Traversiere, 21, is one of the Passion for Action scholars. Read more

Reinstate the armed forces

December 9, 2011 by Reginald Toussaint, Special to the Reporter

Reginald ToussaintPresident Michel Martelly’s plan to reinstate the armed forces has stirred a lot of controversy in the international community. On the surface, the debate is about the allocation of resources and the army’s history of human rights abuses. However, a deeper look at this issue reveals the true nature of the conflict, which is who calls the shots in Haiti. The international community has a history of using the threat of sanctions or reducing its aid packages to Haiti as a way of influencing government policy. It would be another blow to Haiti’s sovereignty if they manage to, once again, prevent the Haitian government from making its own decisions and doing what it feels is in the best interests of its constituents.

Since a document highlighting Martelly’s plan surfaced a few months ago, several foreign officials have publicly criticized the plan. Many suggested that such a plan is too costly ($95 million) and Haiti should, instead, focus on strengthening the National Police Force. Read more

World Bank approves $255 million plan for Haiti

December 2, 2011 by Trenton Daniel, Associated Press

PORT-AU-PRINCE _ The World Bank will spend $255 million to help house Haitians, clean up neighborhoods and send thousands of children to school over the next year under a plan approved Thursday by the agency's board.

The new funds seek to fill critical needs in Haiti as the troubled nation nears the second anniversary of the January 2010 earthquake that toppled thousands of homes, destroyed hundreds of schools and force more than a million Haitians into precarious settlements in the capital and elsewhere. Read more

Christmas Concert Under the Stars / Noël à la Belle étoile

Dec. 11, 2011 - 4:30 pm

Join Youth and Family Enrichment Services (YOFES) for a celebration filled with music, fun, friends, family and holiday cheer! No entrance fee, however your donations will be gratefully accepted and will go directly towards supporting YOFES programming ($5 Minimum suggested).

For more information contact (617) 364-0370, (617) 447-6522 or info@yofes.org

We Are Boston Gala

Dec. 14, 2011 - 5:45 pm

Join the city of Boston at the We Are Boston Gala, which celebrates Boston’s diversity, immigrant heritage and contributions. Now in its 6th year, the We Are Boston Gala annually attracts a thousand friends, families, and supporters to celebrate and support the dreams, drive and contributions of the immigrant and diverse communities of Boston and across the Commonwealth!

Come celebrate with us on December 14, 2011 from 5:45 pm to 8.30 pm (and beyond) at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, as we honor key community contributors! This year’s exciting program will feature: Read more

MIRA hosts 2nd Citizenship Clinic [nou pale Kreyòl]

Dec. 3, 2011 - 11:00 am

JOIN OUR 2ND CITIZENSHIP CLINIC | FREE NATURALIZATION INFORMATION AND APPLICATION ASSISTANCE!

Checklist: What you need to bring on December 3rd, 2011:

Green card
Passport
Social Security Card
Two passport photos
List of your addresses for the past five (5) years
List of your employment for the past five (5) years

*Certain low income Legal Permanent Residents may qualify for fee waivers. Inquire when you call to register

Are you Eligible to Apply for Citizenship? You may be eligible if... Read more

Haitian Peace Quilts exhibit & reception

Dec. 9, 2011 - 5:30 pm

Haiti Peace QuiltCollective Energy. Singular Visions.
Original Art Quilts from Haiti Peace Quilt’s Women’s Collectives
December 5, 2011 through January 28, 2012

Opening Reception: December 9, 2011 from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM

Impeccably made, one-of-a-kind art quilts will be on display at the Haley House Bakery Café Gallery throughout December and January. PeaceQuilts, is the non-profit organization that establishes and supports these women’s quilting cooperatives in Haiti until they are self-managed and self-sustaining.

For more information, contact Celia 857-205-7044 | gallery@haleyhouse.org Read more

Recent study shows significant homicide drop in Port-au-Prince

November 18, 2011 by Trenton Daniel, Associated Press

PORT-AU-PRINCE _ Haiti's capital has seen a significant drop in homicide rates in recent years despite a public perception that the poor Caribbean country is rife with crime and violence, two social scientists said Wednesday.

In addition, most Haitians view the national police force favorably and see no need to bring back the disbanded army, according to the preliminary findings of a study shared with The Associated Press. Read more

NO-COST home weatherization workshop [nou pale kreyòl]

Nov. 19, 2011 - 9:30 am

RENEW BOSTON WEATHERIZATION WORKSHOP

Join us to learn about NO COST home weatherization, solar panel rebates and other ways to go green.

Do you want to save on heating costs and improve the comfort of your home this winter? Then drop by to learn about Renew Boston's home energy improvement programs including: Read more

No cost energy assessment for buildings with four or fewer apartments
- Cost effective air sealing to reduce drafts
  - Rebates up to $3,500 for home insulation

FREE: Legal Business Workshop for the Haitian Community

Nov. 15, 2011 - 6:00 pm

TONIGHT: The Lawyers’ Committee of Civil Rights is hosting a free legal business workshop tonight from 6PM-8PM at the Mattapan Branch Library, 1350 Blue Hill Ave for small business owners and entrepreneurs.

For more information, contact Read more

Diaspora pushes for accountability in US aid to Haiti

November 14, 2011 by Kysseline Jean-Mary Cherestal and A.D. Rachel Pierre, Special to the Reporter

The Haitian Diaspora has long maintained close ties to Haiti. Over the many decades Haitians have been immigrating to the US, they have continued to support their brothers and sisters in Haiti by sending remittances, and by standing in solidarity with them, including advocating on their behalf. Now more than ever, the Haitian Diaspora cannot sit idle while gross human rights injustices continue to claim the lives of Haiti’s marginalized citizens.

As the two year mark of the devastating January 12, 2010 earthquake approaches, Haiti’s reconstruction and development have barely begun. Read more

Martelly, the consolidation of power, and the tailoring of Iron-Pants

November 14, 2011 by Patrick Sylvain, Contributing Editor

Patrick SylvainPresident Martelly declared education and fighting corruption among his highest priorities in the reconstruction of Haiti. Simultaneously, he extended a participatory hand to some of the country’s former leaders — known human rights violators, drug traffickers, and corruptors. For some reason, Jean-Claude Duvalier and former President Aristide are held in high regard by Martelly and have been sought by him, in this, the first year of his presidency.

Martelly’s overtures to political leaders can simply be read as symbolic, which, in a country like Haiti that has historically been mired in exclusionary politics can result in personal and political triumph. Martelly’s embrace of both friends and foes automatically garners him political points that his predecessors have failed to earn. Whether his political embraces and and maneuverings are genuine or not is absolutely irrelevant; what is important is the how his presidency has been perceived during this period of power consolidation, the most critical for any government. Read more

Boston hosts Haiti Movie Awards on Nov. 20

November 10, 2011 by Manolia Charlotin, Editor

On November 20, Boston will host the first annual Haiti Movie Awards. This celebration is organized by the Motion Picture Association of Haiti (MPAH), which is run by movie enthusiast, Hans Patrick Domercant. Boston-based MPAH works to help further develop and bring structure to the burgeoning Haitian movie industry.

More recently, the movie industry has been slow to recover after the Jan. 2010 earthquake. According to MPAH, very few movies have been produced in the last two years and morale has been generally low. Domercant hopes to change that with this year’s Haiti Movie Awards. Read more

Building Back Haiti More Justly

Nov. 8, 2011 - 6:00 pm

Join attorneys from Mintz Levin, Ropes & Gray and Foley Hoag for a forum with Brian Concannon, Esq., Founder of Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti on November 8.

Concannon will discuss using the legal system to build stability, prosperity and protection in Haiti.

To RSVP, contact info@ijdh.org

NO MORE SEATS AVAILABLE: L'Union Fait La Force featuring Emeline Michel

Nov. 18, 2011 - 6:00 pm

DUE TO THE GREAT RESPONSE FROM THE COMMUNITY, THERE ARE NO MORE SEATS AVAILABLE FOR THIS EVENT.

“L’Union Fait La Force”: Haiti Arts & Awareness event featuring Emeline Michel

Join HGSE for Haiti (Harvard Graduate School of Education) for the 208th Anniversary of the Final Battle of the Haitian Revolution for Independence & the final day of 2011 International Education Week. We Celebrate the Legacy and Influence of Haitian Music, Culture, and Heritage

Friday, November 18, 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Askwith Hall, 13 Appian Way, Cambridge, MA

Free Admission & Open to the Public | Seating is limited! Admission by RSVP only Read more